Solidarity

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Solidarity in sociology refers to the feeling or condition of unity based on common goals, interests, and sympathies among a group's members. Solidarity refers to the ties in a society - social relations - that bind people to one another.

Some sociologist introduced a more specialised concepts of sociology. Émile Durkheim introduced the terms of mechanical and organic solidarity[1], to illustrate his conception of social evolution (see social darwinism). Mechanical solidarity comes from homogeneity, when people feel connected through similar work, educational and religious training, and lifestyle. Organic solidarity comes from the interdependence that arises from specialization of work. This concept is also related to "Moral Cohesion" which involves the ability for a given society to feel connected due to moral beliefs.

Solidarity is commonly associated with political socialism, being the driving force and defining temperament behind the ideal classless work force.

Social Solidarity is the degree or type (see below) of integration of a society. This use of the term is generally employed in Sociology and the other social sciences.

The types of Social Solidarity are generally understood to correlate with types of society. In simpler societies (e.g., tribal), solidarity is usually based on kinship ties or familial networks. In more complex societies (e.g., democracies), solidarity is more organic (or mechanistic). Organic here is referring to the interdependence of the component parts. Thus, social solidarity is maintained in more complex societies through the interdependence of its component parts (e.g., farmers produce the food to feed the factory workers who produce the tractors that allow the farmer to produce the food). For more information on these two types of social solidarity, see social disintegration.

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